They had to fight for it, but in the end the new-look Razorbacks pulled away from Texas A&M-Commerce 97-80 Friday night in Bud Walton Arena in the first exhibition game of the season.

Much like the Arkansas football team, the basketball team got off to a slow start by falling behind 11-4 early and not taking their first lead until freshman Devonta Abron hit the second of two good free throws to make it 17-16 Arkansas with 12:19 to play in the first half.

"I didn't think we had the real up-tempo pace in the first half," Razorback head coach Mike Anderson said after the game. "I thought...